Our recent survey of 1,000 UK office workers identified clear inter-generational friction in the workforce, with a quarter of Gen Z employees reportedly experiencing negative colleague relationships – the highest of any generation surveyed. In our last blog, we delved into these findings and explored the main sources of friction between colleagues.
This snapshot points to divisions in the four-generation workforce, and crucially, the need for employers to address these potentially problematic relationships before they cause deeper-rooted resentments.
At a time team building is arguably more important than ever, we wanted to find out how frequently employers are facilitating these activities, how they’re perceived by the workforce, and what impact they really have on the team and wider business.
Perceptions of team building
Our survey of office employees found largely positive attitudes towards team building. In fact, more than two thirds (67%) said they typically find team building activities enjoyable and 65% say they help them perform better as a team.
Additionally:
- 65% say team building improves inter-generational workplace relationships
- 64% say it improves their knowledge of individuals’ strengths on the team
- 63% agree it helps them feel closer to colleagues
- 62% say it helps them learn more about their teammates’ interests outside of work
Away from their day-to-day roles and responsibilities, employees are free to get to know one another on a different, less transactional level. Team building activities that require colleagues to work together to achieve a shared goal, particularly for an important cause or as part of a wider CSR commitment, can have a powerful impact on team morale and relationships. They typically rely on a combination of different skills and strengths to achieve the desired outcome, and often help colleagues get to know one another better in the process, forming an important foundation for a more positive, collaborative way of working.
With this in mind, it’s perhaps not surprising that 63% of our survey respondents agreed that team building is a good use of employee time, and 59% say they’re a good use of company funds.
Interestingly, older generations of employees were less likely to agree with these statements. However, as we go on to explore, these employees are also less likely to have taken part in a team building event recently and possibly have an outdated view of these activities as the landscape has diversified.
Participation in team building activities
Of the office-based employees we surveyed, 56% said they had taken part in a team building activity in the last 11 months, while two-thirds (67%) had done so within the last two years. Participation in work social activities was higher still, with 64% having attended an event in the last 11 months and three quarters having done so in the last two years.
Interestingly, more than 3 in 5 employees said they have attended a social event with colleagues organised independently of work in the last 11 months, while almost three quarters have done so in the last two years. Positively, this suggests many employees have an appetite to socialise and bond with colleagues even when it’s not initiated by their employer.
However, the appetite to socialise with colleagues is typically less salient among older generations of workers. What’s more, 18% of Gen X and 22% of Baby Boomers said they don’t feel comfortable participating in team building activities (compared with 13% of Gen Z and just 6% of Millennials), which could go some way to explain the lower participation at this level.
While the stats indicate employers have some work to do to reassure and reengage older employees, it also raises concerns that some longer-established employees are neglecting opportunities to bond with the rest of the workforce and perpetuating the disconnect with younger peers.
What’s the impact of team building?
While perceptions of and participation in team building opportunities varied between age groups, the majority of views and experiences were positive.
When our office-based employee sample were asked about the changes they’d noticed as a result of team building activities, the stats showed wide-ranging and long-lasting benefits. 62% said team building improves communication among the workforce, with 29% noticing the change in the long-term. 3 in 5 link improvements in collaboration, with 27% citing long-term positive change.
Respondents also referenced improved mood in the office (63%), team morale (62%), teamwork (62%) and trust between colleagues (61%).
Building strong foundations
When employees participate in well-planned and executed team building activities, the results speak for themselves. Our research highlights clear benefits to communication and collaboration – the vital areas employers must address to build better, dynamic, more effective teams. These powerful bonding experiences form the basis for better business relationships and drive valuable improvements in workplace satisfaction, productivity and innovation.
Our e-guide, The four generation workforce: overcoming friction and building strong team dynamics, explores our research in greater depth and imparts useful advice for business and people leaders looking address team challenges and build a happier, more cohesive workforce. Download it here.
